Recommend your...

court115

digital camera!

My MIL has had the same digital camera since cameras were created and I think it's finally ready to retire. SIL and I want to get her a new one for Christmas. Neither of us know anything about what we should be looking for. I have a camera that H got me years ago and it works fine but I never remember I have it so I rarely use it. In fact, I don't even think I could tell you where it is right now.

I'm sure some of you take a lot of pictures so I'm wondering what kind you have and what kind you would recommend. It doesn't have to be a high quality, photographer-grade camera. She mainly uses it to to take a lot of pictures of family events.

TIA

mancila60

I have a small digital camera and my mom has a more professional camera mine is basically the same as hers but way smaller. It's a canon with 10 mega pixels (the more of these the better) 6x optical zoom. Its the canon power shot A2000is now I have had this camera for about maybe 5 years so I doubt they are selling this one anymore. However my family only buys canon and we love them. This camera is great for what I use it for (vacations, holidays, family events, etc.) 

I would say get a canon but do research first and look at reviews online once you find one you are interested in.  

AurorasEnvy

I've had Canon Powershots (I think I'm on my 2nd one...) for the past almost 10 years now.  I've beat them up pretty good (took it all over Europe, usually just throw it in my purse...) and in my experience they last a long time.  The pictures they take are also pretty good quality - not photographer grade, but like your MIL I use it to capture memories rather than professional photos.  I'd love a super nice camera like that, but something cheaper that you can throw in your purse is much more practical!

 Some links that might help you:

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-digital-cameras/

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-budget-cameras/

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camera-buying-guide/

 It's been awhile since I got my current camera, but it looks like the Canon Powershots are still some of the best. 

Celticrebelgirl

I used to have DSLR but I ended up using it till the body broke..it was already used when I bought it but I still have the lenses....I got my camera right when we came back from honeymoon..its the next step up from my mom's that I took with us....I LOVE it    Best money I spent   its the Canon Powershot SX40HS....35x zoom 12.1 megapixel.

It really depends on what she is looking for...a really good zoom or just a basic zoom but decent megapixel for those everyday shots....I went with mine because it had more zoom then my highest lense...very sad lol...and I take alot of nature shots (bald eagles etc) and animal shots. Lots of distance or action...its wonderful plus it has HD video    

Def. reccomend Cannon or Nikon...I used to go Olympus but not anymore...their quality has gone downhill compared to others...Fugifilm has some nice mid zoom quality

toothpastechica

I am going to jump on the canon bandwagon here... We have various canon models and I would say for beginner/every day shooting the Rebel line is awesome and are not that expensive...can usually find used ones for $100..you have way more control (zoom/focus/light) and generally takes way better pictures then the small powershots, but its still easy to use and takes good photos on "automatic".

The only reason I would get something smaller then that would be if I was using it for hiking or something that it would be really inconvenient to have something that doesnt fit in a pocket or purse.

court115

Thanks ladies!

I posted this question on my local board too and they all said Canon Power Shots too so we'll be getting one from that line.